Debbie Balfour
Co-Founder Building BUN From the Beginning

Debbie Balfour

Business Coach & Strategist

CommunityAll BUN Communities
Primary FocusBusiness Coaching & Strategy
Secondary SpecialtyReal Estate Investor Coaching

“Helping small business owners turn ideas into action with clearer strategy, better systems, stronger relationships, and practical accountability.”

About Me

I’m a business coach, strategist, entrepreneur, real estate investor, community builder, and lifelong learner who loves helping people turn ideas into practical action.

Before entrepreneurship became my full-time focus, I spent more than 25 years working in technology and business transformation. My experience included business strategy, systems analysis, process improvement, project management, change management, learning and development, quality assurance, and helping organizations find better and more efficient ways to work.

I’m naturally drawn to figuring out what isn’t working, simplifying what feels complicated, creating better systems, and helping people move from “I know what I should be doing” to actually doing it.

My coaching style combines strategy, practical implementation, accountability, and patience. I want the people I work with to leave with more clarity than they arrived with, and with a realistic path forward.

What I Do

I help small business owners, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs create greater clarity, stronger systems, and practical strategies for growing their businesses.

Business Coaching & Accountability

Helping business owners clarify priorities, make decisions, create action plans, and follow through on what matters most.

Systems, Productivity & Process Improvement

Helping entrepreneurs move away from doing everything manually or keeping everything in their heads by creating more efficient systems and processes. Technology and AI are often part of the solution when they can genuinely make the business simpler or more productive.

Marketing & Content Strategy

Helping business owners become more intentional and consistent about how they communicate their expertise, build visibility, and stay connected with the people they want to serve.

Networking & Relationship-Building

Helping entrepreneurs build stronger professional relationships, communicate their value clearly, nurture their networks, and create opportunities through trust rather than transactional selling.

Affordable Legal Support & Protection

Helping small business owners access affordable legal support and protection so they can operate their businesses with greater confidence.

Real Estate Investing Coaching

As a real estate investor and coach, I help other investors develop the relationship-building and capital-raising skills they need to create a network of people who may want to invest with them. My focus is on building credibility and trust before the capital is needed, developing professional investor relationship systems, and approaching capital raising from a relationship-first perspective.

Who I Help

I primarily work with small business owners, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs who need better systems, clearer strategy, and practical support to grow. They often have plenty of ideas and ambition, but are struggling with things such as:

  • Doing too much themselves
  • Inconsistent marketing
  • Inefficient or missing systems
  • Too many competing priorities
  • Difficulty turning ideas into execution
  • A need for accountability and structure
  • Building stronger professional relationships

Who I’d Love to Meet

I’d love to meet small business owners and solopreneurs who know they could operate more effectively but need help creating the strategy and systems to get there. I also enjoy meeting strategic collaborators who believe in relationships, shared expertise, complementary services, and finding ways to create value together.

  • Small business owners and solopreneurs ready to operate more effectively
  • Entrepreneurs who need strategy, systems, and accountability
  • Real estate investors building investor relationships and raising capital
  • Strategic collaborators with complementary services

A great time to introduce someone to me is when you hear:
“I’m doing everything myself and need a better way to operate.”
or
“I know I should be marketing more consistently, but I don’t have a plan.”

Why I’m Part of BUN

Jenny and I created Business Unlimited Network because we wanted to build the kind of business community we felt was missing. One where relationships come before referrals. Where people take the time to genuinely know one another. Where learning is part of the experience. Where collaboration is encouraged. Where introductions grow naturally from trust. Where people celebrate each other’s success instead of keeping score.

Through our experience building and participating in business communities, we kept seeing the same thing: people wanted more than another place to exchange business cards. They wanted relationships. They wanted support. They wanted people they could trust. And they wanted opportunities to keep learning and growing.

Giving back is an important part of that vision as well. I believe businesses can be a tremendous force for strengthening the communities where we live and work.

A Little More About Me

Something people may not know about meIn 2023, our family home of 22 years was destroyed by fire. Two months later, I lost the corporate job I had held for 16 years. What could easily have become one of the biggest setbacks of my life actually accelerated a transition I was already ready to make.
A cause I care aboutI’m actively involved with St. Nicholas Parish, where I have helped organize fundraising and community events. I also co-host Langley Connect and Surrey Connect, and created the GVA Real Estate Investing Networking Pop-Up.
What matters mostMy faith shapes how I think about service, generosity, relationships, gratitude, and giving back. And while I have earned certificates and built businesses, my two sons are my greatest accomplishment. Being their mom wins.
My favourite way to spend a day offHaving my sons over, cooking a great meal, and watching a movie together as a family. Outside of work I love cooking and entertaining, organizing events, travelling, and interior design.

How I Contribute to BUN

  • Learning Moment Contributor
  • Subject Matter Expert
  • Mentor & Coach
  • Community Builder
  • Community Impact
  • Content Contributor
  • Welcome & Onboarding Support

Topics I Teach & Speak About

I’m comfortable teaching and speaking on these topics through workshops, presentations, Learning Moments, coaching, articles, and podcasts.

  • Systems, Productivity & Process Improvement
  • Marketing & Content Strategy
  • Networking & Relationship-Building
  • Accountability & Implementation
  • Personal Branding
  • Real Estate Investor Relationship-Building & Capital Raising

Resilience is not always about getting back to where you were. Sometimes resilience means realizing you have an opportunity to build something completely different.

— Debbie Balfour

Looking to Connect or Collaborate?

Debbie is always open to building meaningful relationships and finding ways to support fellow business owners.

Connect With Debbie

A Co-Founder of Business Unlimited Network

Relationships
Before Referrals
Collaboration
Before Competition
Giving
Before Receiving
Learning
Before Leading
Trust
Before Opportunity